Lady Patriots roll into Class B final

October 31, 2013

ROTTERDAM - The Broadalbin-Perth Lady Patriots easily carved out a spot in the Section II Class C finals Wednesday, making quick work of the Greenville Lady Spartans by scores of 25-12, 25-14, and 25-10 at Schalmont High School.

The Lady Patriots got off to a fast start and never looked back. After Broadalbin-Perth broke a 2-2 tie in the first game of the match, the Lady Patriots weren't without the lead until Greenville took a 1-0 lead to begin game three. That lead was the only one of the match for the Lady Spartans.

The Lady Patriots were able to build their first big lead of game one with Keyana Fariello serving. Broadalbin-Perth scored six straight points including a kill by Chelsea Leblanc and an ace by Fariello. Greenville made a run with five straight points of their own soon after, but Leblanc ended the rally after going up high for one of two solo blocks in the match.

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"I thought Chelsea did a really good job in the middle," said Broadalbin-Perth head coach Mike Calvello. "Just her presence in the middle takes away that big middle being able to swing because she's getting over the net, and if they see her there they have to alter their shots. I think she made her presence known."

Leblanc also had six kills in the match.

The Lady Patriots went on another long scoring run to close out the game. They scored eight straight points, seven of which came during a Gabby Smith serving streak, before Maddie Gurga registered a hard kill to sew up the game.

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SECTION II VOLLEYBALL

Class AA Semifinals

Shenendehowa 3, Bethlehem 0

(25-17, 25-14, 25-20)

Saratoga Springs 3, Columbia 1

(25-22, 27-29, 26-24, 25-23)

Class A Semifinals

Burnt Hills 3, Niskayuna 0

(25-11, 25-14, 25-22)

Queensbury 3, Averill Park 0

(25-18, 25-20, 25-19)

Class B Semifinals

Gloversville 3, Hudson Falls 2

(19-25, 25-22,24-26, 25-17, 25-21)

Johnstown 3, Bishop Gibbons 0

(25-19, 25-18, 25-11)

Class C Semifinals

Broadalbin-Perth 3, Greenville 0

(25-14, 25-12, 25-10)

Voorheesville 3, Galway 1

(22-25, 25-19, 25-10, 25-14)

Class D Semifinals

Mayfield 3, Fort Edward 1

(25-21, 22-25, 28-26, 25-19)

Waterford 3, Argyle 1

(25-9, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23)

Game two saw the Lady Patriots build their lead slowly and the Lady Spartans still unable to keep up. Leblanc registered another block in the game. Greenville only managed one service streak of three or longer in the game as the Lady Patriots cruised to a 25-14 victory.

Game three, the most dominant of the night for Broadalbin-Perth, saw Gurga pound three huge kills right out of the gate. Gurga also served her team to seven straight points midway through the game.

"We did get [Gurga] more involved tonight," said Calvello. "She didn't try and overpower anything. [She] just played it smart and then when she did swing it was there."

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Gurga registered a team-high four aces in the match, all of which came during the seven-point scoring run. Broadalbin-Perth hit nine aces in the match compared to just two for Greenville.

Gurga smashed a kill with Broadalbin-Perth leading the game 24-10 to solidify a trip to the finals.

"I thought we did a really good job defensively," said Calvello. "I felt we passed really well, covered everything behind the block, so I think that was the difference there. It wasn't easy. They're a very good defensive team."

The top-seeded Lady Patriots will match up against the second-seeded Voorheesville Blackbirds on Friday at 8 p.m. at Stillwater High School for the Class C title. Voorheesville posted a 3-1 win over third-seeded Galway in the semifinals.

Class C Semifinals

Voorheesville 3, Galway 1

ROTTERDAM - Erin Gannon finished with 21 service points and 10 digs, leading Voorheesville to a win over Galway in the Class C semifinals at Schalmont High School.

The second-seeded Blackbirds won by scores of 22-25, 25-19, 25-10 and 25-14.

Emily Orminski finished with 17 assists, five kills, four digs, four service points and two aces for Galway (16-1 overall), while Rachel Jones posted seven kills and four points. Adrianna Watrobski recorded eight assists, six kills and two digs for the Golden Eagles, while Rachel Sherman added 11 points, five digs, four aces and four kills.